International S. S. Lessons.
By Editor
"So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading."—Neh. 8:8. LESSON IV.—SUNDAY, APRIL 22, 1894.
[NOTE.—The questions which follow are merely suggestive for the student on the leading points of the lesson; it is presumed that the thorough student will think of many more as he studies the subject. References, where verses alone are given, always refer to the lesson scripture printed above. All other references are given in book, chapter, and verse. The text printed is that of the Revised Version, not because it is especially preferred, but because it is not found in every family, as is the common version.] 38. AND Pharaoh said unto his servants, Can we find such a one as this, a man in whom the Spirit of God is? 39. And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Forasmuch as God hath showed thee all this, there is none so discreet and wise as thou; 40. Thou shalt be over my house, and according unto thy word shall all my people be ruled; only in the throne will I be greater than thou. 41. And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, See, I have set thee over all the land of Egypt. 42. And Pharaoh took off his signet ring from his hand, and put it upon Joseph's hand, and arrayed him in vestures of fine linen, and put a gold chain about his neck; 43. And he made him to ride in the second chariot which he had; and they cried before him, Bow the knee; and he set him over all the land of Egypt. 44. And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, I am Pharaoh, and without thee shall no man lift up his hand or his foot in all the land of Egypt. 45. And Pharaoh called Joseph's name Zaphenath-paneah; and he gave him to wife Asenath the daughter of Poti-phera priest of On. And Joseph went out over the land of Egypt. 46. And Joseph was thirty years old when he stood before Pharaoh king of Egypt. And Joseph went out from the presence of Pharaoh, and went through all the land of Egypt. 47. And in the seven plenteous years the earth brought forth by handfuls. 48. And he gathered up all the food of the seven years which were in the land of Egypt, and laid up the food in the cities; the food of the field, which was round about every city, laid he up in the same. Golden Text: "They that honor me I will honor." 1 Sam. 2:30. 1. Give an account of the intervening events since the record of our last lesson. Note 1. 2. After Joseph had given his advice what did Pharaoh say to his servants? Verse 38. Note 2. 3. What did Pharaoh say unto Joseph? Verse 39. 4. How much authority did he say he would give him? Note 3. 5. How extensive was this power to be? Verse 41. 6. What pledge did Pharaoh give him of this power? Verse 42, first part. (This was evidently the signet ring containing the seal of the kingdom, and which would give validity to all the documents and decrees issued by Joseph.) 7. In what was Joseph dressed? Same verse. (The golden chain is even now in some countries, as in the municipalities of England, a badge of high office.) 8. How was Joseph's greatness proclaimed? Verse 43. 9. What further proof did Pharaoh give of Joseph's authority in all Egypt? Verse 44. 10. What name did he give to Joseph? Verse 45, first part. 11. Whom did he give him as wife? Same verse. Note 4. 12. How old was Joseph when he stood before Pharaoh? 13. Where did he go from Pharaoh's presence? 14. What did the earth produce in the next seven years? 15. What did Joseph do with this food which he gathered? 16. Before Joseph was brought to this high position what was necessary? Answer—He must be tested and tried. 17. What does the Psalmist say of this trial? "He sent a man before them; Joseph was sold for a servant; his feet they hurt with fetters; he was laid in chains of iron; until the time that his word came to pass." Ps. 105:17-19. 18. What does the Psalmist say of Joseph's greatness? "He made him lord of his house, and ruler of all his substance; to bind his princes at his pleasure, and teach his senators wisdom." Ps. 105:21, 22. 19. Whom did Joseph honor in all these years of trial? 20. Of what scripture was the honor bestowed upon Joseph a fulfillment? Golden text.366 1. OUR last lesson closed with chapter 31, with Joseph sold into Egypt. Chapter 38 tells of the sin of Judah and of his family. Chapter 39 gives an account of how Joseph was bought by Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh; how Satan through Potiphar's wife tried to destroy Joseph, and his integrity in resisting temptation, and how because of this Joseph was cast into prison. Chapter 40 gives some incidents of his experience in the prison; how he there came into companionship with two of Pharaoh's officers who had been cast into prison because of misdemeanors. Each of these dreamed a dream, which Joseph interpreted, both coming to pass just as he said. Chapter 41 brings us to the time of our lesson, a period of thirteen years after Joseph was sold into Egypt. The first thirty-seven verses tell us about Pharaoh's dreams of the lean and fat kine and the full and blasted ears of corn; how Joseph was brought out of prison to interpret it; and how in that interpretation he advised Pharaoh to set a man wise and discreet over Egypt to prepare for the coming famine. Pharaoh believed the interpretation given of his dream; in fact, it was God who gave the dream, and it was God who brought Joseph to the notice of the king, that he might save Israel. 2. In whom the Spirit of God is.—Joseph attributed his wisdom to God, and Pharaoh admitted that it was so. God is all wise, and that man who is endowed with his Spirit is wiser than though he has all the wisdom of the world. Pharaoh knew this, and knew also that he would be faithful in all his duties, and that God's blessings would attend his plans and deeds. 3. Over my house.—That is, over all his officers and ministers of his kingdom, next in power to the sovereign. 4. Joseph's name Zaphenath-paneah.—The margin says this name means "the man to whom secrets are revealed." Geikie suggests that it means "governor of the living one." Canon Cook says that it means "bread of life," a name very appropriate. Jerome gives it a kindred meaning, "the saviour of the world." Joseph's wife was Asenath, an Egyptian word signifying "the favorite of Neith," the Egyptian Minerva. The name of her father signified "belonging to the sun," and he was a priest of On, the city of the sun. This was doubtless in order to give as great power and influence to Joseph as possible, for the priests were a power in Egypt. The two Cleopatra's needles, or obelisks, one of which is on the shore of the Thames, in London, and the other in Central Park, New York City, both of which are sun images, came from the city of On. 5. Went through all the land of Egypt.—Joseph's work was thorough and so commends itself to everyone who would do faithful work. He went through all the land of Egypt, that is, he became acquainted with the whole field. He knew its resources, and could in that way know whether those who served under him were faithful or not.